Airmatic Problems while driving
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
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From: Palm Springs, CA
S500 4MATIC
Airmatic Problems while driving
I have a 2003 s500 4Matic which has been acting up the last week. I took it to my mechanic and he said I need new front struts. I'm skeptical because the car doesn't lose air when parked, I get the warning, stop car too low, while driving. The car levels out and continues fine, I may get this warning 2-3 times on my way to work approx 8 miles. However on return trip home I never get the same warnings. Any other possible causes? Are there valves or controls that may be malfunctioning to cause these warnings? I've owned the car for 2 years and this happened about a year ago on the freeway while doing 80mph. It gave me the warning 2 times and I could tell the car was definitely low in front but then hasn't acted up until now. Thanks for any advice, I plan to take to my local MB dealer but was hoping for some insight before I do that. One other note when I use my remote to unlock the doors after the car has been parked I hear a slight pop and then hissing as the car lowers but once I turn the car on it raises back to the proper level. I have just Airmatic not ABC.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
I have a 2003 s500 4Matic which has been acting up the last week. I took it to my mechanic and he said I need new front struts. I'm skeptical because the car doesn't lose air when parked, I get the warning, stop car too low, while driving. The car levels out and continues fine, I may get this warning 2-3 times on my way to work approx 8 miles. However on return trip home I never get the same warnings. Any other possible causes? Are there valves or controls that may be malfunctioning to cause these warnings? I've owned the car for 2 years and this happened about a year ago on the freeway while doing 80mph. It gave me the warning 2 times and I could tell the car was definitely low in front but then hasn't acted up until now. Thanks for any advice, I plan to take to my local MB dealer but was hoping for some insight before I do that. One other note when I use my remote to unlock the doors after the car has been parked I hear a slight pop and then hissing as the car lowers but once I turn the car on it raises back to the proper level. I have just Airmatic not ABC.
Since you are not too far from LA, try MB Tech, it's an Indy shop with very reasonable price. They are in Monterey Park. Last time I had problem with my front strut, dealer quoted me $3K for the job, most other shops were in similar range. They charged me $450 for the job, to replace the strut cap only. It's been 80K mile since the job, things are still good.
